Gate-controlling device for cookers.



R. A. TRACE.

OLLING DEVI GATE UONTR OE FOR UOOKERS.

APPLIUATION FILED APR.18. 1914 Patented o t. 27, 1914,

3 $HEETSSHEET 1.

R. A, TRACE. GATE COHTBOLLING DEVICE FOR commas.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1914.

Patented 00 3. 27, 191% 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R. A. TRACE. GATE CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR COOKERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.13,1914.

Patented 0ct.2'?,191&

3 SHEBT$SHEET 3.

. Illllll llllfl iimtran STATES Parana orFIoE.

RUSSELL TRACE, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO BUCKEYE IRON AND BRASS WORKS, 015 DAYTON, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO.

GATE-CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR COOKERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2?, 1914.

Application filed April 13, 1914. Serial No. 831.443.

This invention relates to gate controlling devices for cookers, such .as are employe in treating seeds and the like preparatory to expressing the oil therefrom; and is in the nature of an improvement upon the device shown and described in the application for patent filed by C. H. Fulson April 13, 1914, Ser. No. 831,447, and assigned to the Buckeye Iron and Brass Works, assi nee of the present invention.

he object of the invention is to provide a controlling device for automatically opening the gates in a prescribed order and in timed relation; which will be very simple in its construction, inexpensive to build; and which can be maintained and operated at a lowcost.

the lower portion of the mechanism showing the controlling device. in its starting position; Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing a slightly modified 'form of the device; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the modification shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a detail of a further modification of the gate actuating devices.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as applied to a four-high cooker of a known construction. This con struction comprises the usual cooking receptacles or kettles, which are indicated by the reference numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each of the upper kettles, 1, 2, and 3, is provided in its bottom Wall, which wall also forms the top of the next lower kettle,with a discharge op'ening'5 leading to the receptacles 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The lower receptacle 4 is adapted to discharge into a cake former or other suitable de pository, but as this forms no part of the invention the discharge opening therefor is not shown. Likewise, the upper receptacle 1 is adapted to be filled from an overhead source of supply, but as this is not a part of the invention it has not been illustrated.

Each of the-"discharge openings 5 is controlled by a gate-6 which is mounted for movement to open :and close the discharge opening and in the present form of the invention is mounted at one edge upon a shaft 7 mounted on the bottom oi the cooker alongside the opening 5 and projecting beyond the side y'all of the cooker where it is provided with acounterweight 8. In the present arrangement of the. mechanism the counterweight holds the gate normally closed and an actuating device, such as a rock arm 9, is provided to rock the shaft" and move the ate against the action of thocounterweig1t. A suitable controlling device is provided to cause the several gates to be opened and closed in a prearranged order and to be retained in their open positioris for a predetermined period of time. This device preferably comprises a vertically movable member carrying means for successively engaging the actuating members of the respective gates, moving these gatesinto their open positions and retaining them in \those positions until the controlling device is advanced a distance suilicient to release them. The length of time that each gate is held open is determined by the speed at which the controlling de vice moves. In the present instance the means for actuating the gates comprises a instance, I have shown the same as comprising an endless belt, such as a sprocket chain 10 extending about a sprocket wheel 11 on a'shaft 12, mounted near the bottom of the cooker, an'd about a second sprocket wheel 13 mounted near the top of the cooker. dicated at "14; comprises a series of blocks mounted upon the endless belt and arranged close together-in longitudinal al'inement so as to form a practically continuous tripping bloclnbut one which can pass about the sprocket wheels. .Arranged alongside of the endless belt is a guide bar 15 which is preferably provided with a groove 16 to receive the belt or sprocket chain and which serves to hold the latter against transverse movement when the tripping block engages'one of the rock arms. Further, the flanges at. the sides of the groove serve to prevent the lateral displacement of the belt. "I prefer toprovide the endless belt with two tripping blocks spaced equal distances apart so that when one block has completed its upward movement the other block Willbe approaching its operative position With therock arm for the lower gate. The controlling membermay be driven in any suitable'manner. In the present in-. stance, the shaft 12=which carries the lower sprocket Wheel 11 is provided with a worm gear'l'? meshing with a worm 18 on a shaft 19 which,.in turn, is geared to a shaft 20 having thereon a. gear 21 meshing with a inion 22 on a shaft 23 which carries a evelgear and idler 24- and 25, respectively. A belt26 connects the pulley 2a with a secend pulley 27-mounted on a shaft 28 forming a part of or connected with the operating mechanism for the cooker, which is of a Well known type. It is preferable that the movement of the controlling device should be automatically interrupted at the end of each complete operation thereof so that the-re will be no danger of the gate of the.

cooker 3 being opened before the lowermost cooker 4; has been emptied. To accmmilisli this'I have provided an automatic bolt shift ing device which is controlled by the controlling device-and serves to interrupt the application of power to the latter. As hcre shown the beltshifting-device comprises a sliding'rod 29 extending parallel with the 23-and' having a fork 250 engaging opposite'sides of the belt. A spring 31 tends to move the rod in a direction to move the belt' onto the idler. 'lho rod, however, is held normally against movcznrnt by means of a latch 32 which engages a notch in one end, dl 'thc rod ifland holds the same nor mally against movement under the tension ol' the spring ll. The lat h 553 lmtwccn its ends, as shown at 32' and. is held normally in. engagement with the rod by meansol a spring 34-. "lhat end oi.

, The tripping member, which is inquickly brought in to engagement with the z rockarm to open'the lower, gatefi; thus purpose comprises goal-in a is pivotedthe latch opposite the rod QS-lies adjacent to the path of the tripping blocks 1-1- and the foremost section of each block is provided with a lateral projectioin'jsnchflas pin 35 adapted to engage'the end of the latch 32, disengage the same from the rod 29 and permit the springtoshift-the loeltr It will he noted by reference to 3 that this pin is so arranged that the latch will be tripped to shift the belt "when the end of the tr1pping block is close to the rock arm 9 of i the lowermost gate 6. Consequently; s when the lower receptacle has been emptied the belt will be shifted by hand to the drive pulley 24 and the tripping block will be placing the mechanism in operation without unnecessary loss 01 time. I In the mechanism above described" the rock arm or actuating member for the gate is shown as mounted on the shaft to which the gate is secured, but it will be understood that this is not a necessary construction and that the rock armor other actuating member may be mounted independently ofthe, gate and connected.thereto'through suitable connecting devices. This is sometimes de sirable as, for instance, inthecase of large" cookers where the discharge openings are of such a size as to'makeit prefbrable to 5 provide two gates Ior. each open ng lllStQilCl 01 a single gate as in the mccha'nisni above described. Such a double gate mechanism is shown in Figs. 4; and In these figures the cooker is shown as provided with'a' (lis- 0 charge opening 36 controlled by two gates 37 and 38, these gatcsbeing mounted, respectivcly, on shafts 39 andlddmoiintcd along the opposite edges or the discharge" opening. An actuating member which, in

this instance, however, the form of a trip arm, shown lt,4 tl and is mounted on a stud shaft -19 journaled ina suitable hear i ing on the side of the cooker-and having its, end arranged in the path of the tripping block 14;. f l 'his rock arl'n is so connected with the shafts 39 and 4-0 ins M more those shafts sinndtaneouslyin oppositedirections and the mechanism hero shown for this a large gear'43 being rigidly connected with the 'rock arm 4-1 and 1nesl1ing -with a gearl i'securcd to the shaft 4:0 and with an idle gear L5 which, indurn meshes with agear 4-6 secured to the shaft 39. Thus, it will. befohvious that the upward movement of the rock arm will sii'nnltaneoi[sly open the two gates and that the movement of the toward their closed positions under the influence of the connlcl'woiglits. which are shown at will return the rock arni to ilsnormal position, as shown in full. lines inl ig. 4-. i l n the mechanism which has becn' here- This construction is not only a possible onetion by some means other than the tripping block and subsequently released and closed.

but under certain conditions may be preferable to that. above described. In Fig. 6 of the drawings I have illustrated one form of apparatus by means of which this result can I, v, be accomplished. In this figure the cooker receptacle and itsgate are similar to those shown-in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and the actuating devieeis of the same type as thatshown in those figures, that is, it comprises a rock arm mounted on the shaft of the gate. The counterweight 48, however, occupies a different position from that shown in those figures. It is-so arranged that when the gateis, moved iirom its closed position to its 7 open position :the weight will be carried across its center of gravity and will tend toho'ld the gate open until sufiicient force is applied thereto to again move-the weight across its center of gravity. Means are providedfto be actuated by the controlling member for so. moving the weight as to cause it to close the gate. As here shown this means comprises a lever 49 pivotally mountedadjacent to the position occupied by the weight when the gate is open, and having a lip 50 adapted .to extend across the arm carrying the weight. The opposite end of the lever projects into the path of the tripping block of the controlling member and when engaged by this tripping block willrock the welght about its axis to carry it across its pivotal center and cause it to close the gate. The mechanism is of an exceedingly simple character and is very positive in its operation. The arrangement has various advantages, among which is the ability of the gate to close at any time should undue pressure be exerted thereon, as by the filling of the lower receptacle into which the gate extends. seeds or meal in this lower receptacle are constantly in motion and there is danger of the gate being broken if held rigidly in its open position. The use of this device enables the tripping block to be very.

materially shortened. In fact, it need be nothing more than a lug, although Ihave, in the present instance, shown the same at 51 as comprising two short sections connected to the chain and movable relatively one to the other to pass about the sprocket wheels. The upper end of the trip lever 49 is arranged close to the actuating device or. rock arm of the gate next below it. thus causing this gate to be opened immediately upon the closing of the lower gate.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that the device is of a very simple, inexpensive character, yet posrtive in its operation and insures that the gates will be actuated successively in a prearranged order and that each gate will be held open a predetermined length of time.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of the invention and modifications thereof it will be understood that these have been chosen for the purposes of illustration only and that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates tocontrol the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices for imparting movement to said gates, of a controlling device comprising a vertically movable member, and a part carried by said member to successively engage the actuating device for each of said gates to quickly open that gate and to remain in operative engagement with said actuating device to retain the gate in its open position for a-period of time.

2. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices-for imparting movement to said gates, of a controlling device comprising a flexible member supported adjacent to said cooker, means for imparting lengthwise .movement to said flexible member, and

a tripping block carried by said flexible member.

,4. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the res ective discharge openings, and actuating 'gl evices for imparting movement to said gates, of a controlling device compriscooker for vertical ing an endless supported adjacent to ing a flexible member imparting lengthwise said cooker, means for movementto said tripping block carried by said flexible membe and comprising a series of sections arranged in alinement lengthwise 6. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices for imparting movement to said gates, of a controlling device comprising an endless belt mounted adjacent to said movement, and an elongated tripping block carried by said endless belt and comprising a series of parts arranged-in longitudinal alinement and capale of movement relatively one to the other as said belt passes about its support.

7. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles, each upper recep- -:tacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices for imparting movcment'to said gates. of a controlling device comprising a flexible member mounted adjacent to said cooker for vertical movement, a guide bar arranged adjacent to and parallel With said flexible member on that side thereof opposite the actuating devices for said gates, and a tripping block carried by said flexible member on that side thereof opposite said guide bar.

8. In a cooker, pluralitypf receptacles, (B'lCll upper rccep- ;taclehav1ng a discharge opening leading'to thenext lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices for imparting movement to saidgates, of a controlling device comprissprockct chain, a guide bar arranged parallel With said chain and having a groove to receive the same,,and a flexible tripping block carried by that side of said cham adjacent to the open side of said groove.

9. in a cooker, the combination, With a plurality of receptacles arranged one above flexible member, and a of a controlling device COIYIPI'lS',

- ceptacles,

Shifting device,

the combination, with a 4 l the other, each upper. receptaclehaving a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control receptacles, and tively connected w of a controlling device comprlsing amend: less belt, a plurality of tripping devices mounted'on said'belt} aced equal distances apart, each of said trl devices for each of said ated by said endless belt to interrupt the movement thereof after ping blocks has passed the uppermost gatethe respective ctuating devices opera-f hh the respective gates,

ping devices being 5 adaptedto successively engage the actuatmgj gates, means v ac'til one of said trip-1,, 1

actuating device and before the next follovv-f ing tripping block has engaged. the; lowers most gate-actuating device.

10. In a cooker, v plurality of receptacles arranged one above the other, discharge opening leading to the next lower each upper receptaclehaving the combinatioinf ith a I I receptacle, gates to control tlie respective receptacles, and actuating devices 'operatively connected with the respective gates," of a controlling device compris ng an end-jg 1,}

less belt, drlving mechanism thcrefor com prising a belt, a belt shifting device cong neoted With said belt,,and meanszactuated said controlling deviceifor shifting device to operate,

11. I plurality of receptacles arranged one abovf causing said belt the other, each upper receptacle havin a'f'h n a cooker, the combination; with discharge opening leading to the next loi ver receptacle, gates to control the respective ree devices operatively and actuating connected with the respective gates offal:

controlling device comprising an endless carried thereby, .[anfj actuating device for said endless belt com-'1' prising a driving belt, a mchanical beltf l 'a latch to hold said'be'lt belt, atripping block shifting device normally against movement and means controlled device to trip said latch.-

12. In a cooker the combination, wer of receptacles arranged oneabove plurality the other, each upper. receptacle having a by said controlling discharge opening leading to the next lo\ve r receptacle, each of said discharge openings, and actuat mg devices for imparting movement simultaneously to the gates for the respective discharge openings, of a controlling devicecom prising a flexible member supportedadjameans for imparting] to said fiexiblemem f cent to said cooker, lengthwise movement her, and a tripping block carried by said liexblg member.

the other, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening a plurality of gatesto control 15 n a cooker, the combinatidii with "a plurality of receptacles arranged one above,

leading to the next lower 21,

receptacle, a plurality of gatesto control;

" engagement with said actuating devices for a period of time to retain the gates in their each of said discharge openings, and actuating devices for imparting movement siher, and a flexible tripping device carried by said flexible member and coiiperating with said actuating devices to open the respective gates and retain the same in their open positions for .a period of time.

a 14. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles arranged one above the other, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, a plurality of gates to control d weaoh of said discharge openings, and actufii'tix'i'g-devices for imparting movement simultaneously to the gates for the respective,

discharge openings, of a controlling device comprising 'a' vertically movable member, and a part carried by said member to successively. engage the actuating devices for the several gates and remain in operative open positions forsuch period of time. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles arranged one above "the other, each upper receptacle having a same.

discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, and gates to control the respective discharge openings, of mechanical means to individually actuate said gates to move themcinto their "open positions, and means to hold said gates in said open positions until positively actuated to release the '16. In a cooker, the'combination, with a plurality of receptacles arranged one above the other, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, and gates to control the respective discharge openings, of afcounterweight connected with each of said gates arid so arranged that when the gate is moved to its open position said counterweight will be carried across its center of gravity, and mechanical means for actuating said gate and said counterweight.- 1

.17. Ina cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles arranged one abbve the other, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices for imparting movement to said gates, of a controlling device having means to engage said actuating devices to cause said gates to be moved to their open positions, means to hold said gates in their open positions, and

devices adapted to be actuated by said controlling device to cause said gates to be released and moved into their closed positions;-

18. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptcles arranged one above the other, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices for imparting movement to said gates, of a controlling device comprising a movable member having a tripping block adapted to successively engage the actuating devices for said gates to cause said gates tobe moved into their open positions, means to hold the respective gates in their open positions, and a device adapted'to be actuated by the further movement of said controlling device'to cause said gates to be released and movedvto their closed positions.

19. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality of receptacles arranged one above the other, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge open'ngs, and actuating devices for imparting movement to said gates, of a counterweight connected with each of said gates and adapted to be moved across its center'of gravity when the corresponding gate is moved from its closed to its open position, a controlling device having a part adapted to operate said actuating device, and a device mounted ad acent to the position occupied by said weight when said gate is in its open position and having a part adapted to be engaged by said controlling device and another part adapted to 'be moved into engagement with said weight to move the latter across its center of gravity and cause said gate to be closed.

20. In a cooker, the combination, with a plurality or receptacles arranged one above the other, each upper receptacle having a discharge opening leading to the next lower receptacle, gates to control the respective discharge openings, and actuating devices 21. The comblnation, with a cooker com prising a receptacle having a discharge opening, a gate to control said opening, and a rock arm to actuate said gate, of a counllO terweight connected with said gate and adapted to be' moved across its center of gravity when said gate is moved from. one position to the other, a tripping device gi ling a moyable member having a, tripping lock arranged to first engage said actuating deyi ce-to cause said.- gate to bemoved to lts p en posltlon and then to engage smd trlppl ng devlpe b0 move'sala counterwelght across its eenter'of .gmfityand cause said 10 gate to be closed.

In testimony whereof, Iafifix myesig'natlire in presence of two Witnesses.

Witnesses RUSSELL-A. TRACE. 

